Police arrest four in meth lab bust

Local
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4/15/2013 6:30 PM
by Karen Franklin

RAINELLE - Four people were arrested following a meth lab bust in Rainelle Sunday night.

Owen Adkins, 30, Matthew Bennett, 30, Jessica Cooper, 28, and James
Malcomb, 39, are facing charges including operation of a clandestine
lab, conspiracy to operate a clandestine lab and possession of
methamphetamines, according to West Virgina State Police.

"The process itself is pretty easy to do, but it's more complex after
chemicals start mixing," Sgt. Andy Evans told WOAY. "It's very
dangerous. I mean, it's very toxic."

Two children inside of the trailer are in the custody of the
Department of Health and Human Resources. Although police did not
confirm the identity of the parents, records show Cooper and Malcomb
also face charges of exposing a child to meth.

"It seems that they have no other care but for themselves and their habit -- including their own children," Evans said.

But residents said they didn't see any signs of neglect, and that the
trailer residents are nice people. Neighbors only noticed consistent
visitors to the home.

"Everybody knew it," said Mike Boggs. "I mean, there was so many cars
coming in and out of that trailer in a day's time. Why, it looked like
(Interstate) 64 going over there."

Rainelle authorities said they've seen half a dozen meth lab busts in
the last six months and believe meth is taking the place of
prescription drugs.

Some blame the economy.

"There's no jobs now, you know, which makes it bad" said neighbor Lee
Partain. "People are out for the buck. Everybody is. It's greed."

"Now a days -- these kids -- it doesn't surprise me a bit," Boggs
told WOAY. "Used to be you never heard of nothing like that in this
area. I mean, little, quiet neighborhood. But nowadays, it's
everywhere."